Ethical Decision Making and Behavior, Promotion of

Unethical behavior, defined as behavior that violates norms of acceptable behavior, is recognized as harmful to organizational performance and functioning. Additionally, unethical behavior occurring when organizational leaders have been aware of or even encouraged such behavior has reduced trust in institutions and contributed to high levels of cynicism toward corporations and other organizations. In response to public pressure to prevent unethical behavior, organizations have increasingly implemented ethics and compliance programs. These programs have also been put into place as a result of organizational interests in preventing negative outcomes associated with unethical behavior, as well as laws and regulations such as the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act and 2004 revised U.S. federal sentencing guidelines, making organizations accountable for unethical actions. The vast majority of large organizations now have ...